Music of the Night at the UW Medical Center
By Rachel Peter and Jenni Cole Violinist Samson Lu plays for a patient at the UW Medical Center Photo by: Rachel Peter |
In a place of recovery, music does much more than entertain. It helps heal the soul. Sophomore violinist Samson Lu has spent countless weekends playing for patients at the UW Medical Center as a way to give back to the community.
Lu started performing at the UW Medical Center to fulfill a community service requirement for his music scholarship. Now he continues to volunteer out of personal interest. "My favorite part about playing for patients is having the privilege to be part of their recovery process," says Lu. “There are patients who are really grateful that I come.”
Each year, more than 100 School of Music students put aside time from their busy schedules to volunteer in the community. Some, like Lu, give informal recitals at hospitals and retirement homes, while others give master classes, tutor younger music students, or perform at churches, schools, and with community groups.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, Lu performed “The Music of the Night,” by Andrew LlyodWebber, to patients in the Rehabilitation Center in the UW Medical Center. Lu enjoys playing a wide variety of music, from musicals to classical music. He sometimes plays for the same people and has found that for many, his performance is the highlight of their day.
Often, Lu’s performances can get emotional for the audience. Lu recalls playing "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music to a man in recovery. After Lu was done playing, the man told him that was the first song played at his wedding.
On another visit to the hospital, Lu performed for a woman and her husband, who was recovering from recent brain surgery. After Lu finished playing, the man spoke to his wife. With tears in her eyes, the wife turned to Lu and told him that it was the first time her husband had said anything intelligible since the surgery.
"These miraculous moments bind me to my volunteer position,” says Lu, who plans to volunteer indefinitely, while pursuing a career in neurobiology. “I've given it some thought, and honestly, this is something I could do for the rest of my life."